Spa Holidays

Let’s face it - at times life can be stressful! That’s why it’s important to give yourself a break every so often to avoid burnout and extra stress. Our de-stress holidays are the perfect solution for the hard worker in need of rejuvenation! Health and Fitness travel offers a wide array of fabulous and soothing wellness retreats across the world, and here are five standouts that go above and beyond to make your relaxation experience unforgettable.  

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we're sharing the best wellness breaks to gift health-conscious mums for future travel. What better a Mother’s Day gift than a post-pandemic wellness escape? With our wellness travel gift cards that can be gifted now and redeemed later, you can treat your much-loved mum to a relaxing wellness holiday to destress and revitalise the body when travel restrictions ease. All holidays are protected by our book with confidence policy for extra peace of mind. From a mountain escape in Greece to a beach retreat in Portugal, these wellness breaks offer respite for hard-working and much-loved mums. Here are the top 5 wellness breaks in the UK and Europe for the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Picking the right Christmas gift can be a minefield. There can be too much to choose from, too many people to buy for and you’re never quite sure if the recipient is going to like your carefully chosen gift! Travel though can be a way of enriching any person’s passion, regardless of how eclectic their hobbies and interests may be. A Health and Fitness Travel gift card is the ideal gift for anyone who loves travel and is passionate about personal wellbeing and or fitness!

So what should you look for when choosing a health retreat? You are committed and have allocated the time to go away so now a little research and planning is needed. A health retreat can be a life-changing experience, but with options as unique as the traveller, choosing the right wellness holiday for you can seem daunting.

Medical spas or “medi spas” as they have become known, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Offering a one-stop destination for health and cosmetic treatments, medical spas help target any number of specific health issues on a rejuvenating spa holiday. Medical doctors oversee the spa, whilst other health professionals, such as physiotherapists and osteopaths, carry out daily treatments and therapies to help you on your wellness journey. Medical spas focus on aesthetic enhancement and wellness, and address issues ranging from specific skin issues and healthy ageing to permanent hair removal and help quitting smoking, all in a professional and safe environment.

If you have ever been on a or at least thought about it, you know how difficult and time-consuming it can be to choose the perfect place for you. With the recent boom of the wellness sector and countless spa centres emerging, it can be pretty overwhelming for you to select the spa that suits your needs. From medical and Ayurvedic spas to destination and beach spas, the opportunities are almost endless making it hard for you to just pick one.

Tell us about the resort what makes it special

Lefay Resort and Spa is a unique and eco-friendly hotel, located in a truly beautiful and breathtaking location. It oozes sophistication, elegance, and although contemporary, it's homely, welcoming, and a relaxing place to distress and unwind. You can enjoy the wonderful views of Lago di Garda by day, and a bright sky full of stars by night.

The resort values are luxury, global wellbeing, staff wellbeing, sustainably, and Italian character.  These are embedded and embraced throughout the entire holiday experience in an authentic and traditional Italian way.

What is Palacio Estoril and who’s it for?

Palacio Estoril is a thirties five-star luxury golf and spa 130-room hotel just outside Lisbon with a colourful clientele from politicians and pop stars, to footballers and royal family. The sixth James Bond film was also filmed here.

For clients who appreciate grandeur and luxury, set in the heart of Estoril and a short walk from the nearest cafes, shops and beaches, the hotel attracts wellness, golf and spa lovers with a flair for culture offering lavish interiors set in lush gardens. Whether you are a solo traveller searching for a relaxing spa break, or a group of friends looking to get fit, Palacio Estoril has the wellness programme for you.

What is Pine Cliffs and who’s it for?

Pine Cliffs is an award-winning 5-star luxury hotel, but it is so much more than that: it's a resort, a golf course, a spa, fitness centre, tennis academy, a lifestyle and an experience. Located on the amazing coastline of the Algarve, in Southern Portugal on a stunning cliff-top above Portugal’s longest beach, Praia Da Falesia. Whilst I was there, I saw families, couples, singles, spa-lovers, golfers and many more because of the variety of amenities and sprawling grounds the resort is situated on.

Tell us about the resort – what makes Aphrodite Hills special?  

Just a 15-minute drive from Paphos located on a plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is the luxury 5-star Aphrodite Hills.  A golf course surrounds the resort which provides unspoilt sea views and creates a real feeling of open space which I found immediately calming and relaxing. 

What is Amanpuri and who’s it for?

The first Aman hotel opened 28 years ago, Amanpuri is the original hotel in the luxury chain infamous for their exception service and incredible offerings. Amanpuri is the perfect retreat for those seeking something special, here under the direction of General Manager Paul Linden (Previously at the head of both Chiva Som and COMO Shambhala Estate) is a new level of luxury for the connoisseur wellness traveller.

What is Samahita and who’s it for?

Samahita, which is Sanskrit for centered, has its origins in New York in the 1990s where founder Paul Dallaghan established Centered Yoga and was exploring all elements of yoga, meditation, spirituality, health, nutrition, alternative living and more. This journey continued through India and Thailand, where along co-founder Jutima Chombhubutr they established the early Samahita, well known simply as Yoga Thailand, in 2003.

With Easter on the horizon, it is so easy to spend the month scoffing on chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. Do something different this year and feel guilt free by taking a revitalising spa holiday or luxury spa break. You certainly will not feel like an ‘April Fool’ when you jet off to one of our stunning healthy holidays, specifically handpicked for their excellent treatments and luxury facilities. From the mountains of Italy to the beaches of Portugal our selection has a wealth of treatments for everyone to enjoy. Book a wellness holiday in April and you could be enjoying a revitalising underwater massage in sunny Cyprus or relax with a foaming facial treatment in the Spain. Our 5 selections will surely inspire you to take the plunge to spoil yourself with a lavish spa holiday this April.

Whether addressing a specific health issue or educating on healthier lifestyle choices, the spa industry is no longer pampering without a purpose. A constantly evolving industry, our collection of specialist spa holidays cater to the specific wellness needs of the individual. With wellness warriors now looking for more than pampering and relaxation, tailor-made wellness programmes combining expert medical, fitness and nutrition teams are taking spa holidays to the next level.

The phrase ‘beauty is pain’ is one that is well known, yet inherently misleading. Beauty is relaxation, it is inner peace, it is health. Beauty is most certainly not meant to be painful, and if it is, then there’s a strong chance you're heading to the wrong places. So, to shepherd you in the right direction and save you from your beauty woes, we’ve put together a list of the best beauty spa holidays around the world. Whether you’re after traditional cosmetic treatments, chasing the latest and greatest in beauty technology, or fancy opting for something a little more holistic and spiritual to find your inner gorgeousness, we have the spa, and the destination, that’s right for you. Discover the best beauty spas in the world below:

Spa-induced wellness holidays don’t always have to come from far-flung destinations around the globe such as Thailand, Mauritius or Bali. Now, although those are fantastic choices, there are also options a little closer to home here in the UK. For those who perhaps are unable to travel long-distance or those that want a quick and convenient shot of wellness, these luxury spa retreats in the UK are the perfect answer. There has been a shift in the mentality of travellers after the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept across the UK and beyond. Rather than a ‘generic resort’, many are seeking authentic rejuvenation with holistic treatments and bespoke therapies having seen the importance of maintaining a strong physical and mental disposition. Explore our list of the best British Spa hotels where you don’t have to stress about travel restrictions and PCR tests! 

With the celebrity cult well and truly on the wellness wagon, scenic social media snaps of hikes in Ibiza and treetop yoga in St Lucia are evoking worldwide workout wanderlust. Letting you in on the celebrity secret, here we share the best wellness destinations to holiday like a fit and famous celebrity. From a Thailand wellness retreat frequented by the Beckhams, to a health sanctuary in Spain graced by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Demi Moore, add a touch of star quality to your healthy escape.

Releasing the stress of work and school is what a holiday is all about. A European spa break is a great opportunity to rest and recuperate, to regather after a stressful term or a high-pressure month of work. A relaxing wellness getaway is no longer just for couples, family spa holidays in Europe are becoming more popular. They provide the relaxation of a spa retreat with the fun of a family holiday. These breaks are an opportunity for personal betterment and for a rare feeling of freshness. At Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness travel specialists, we have compiled a list of the best luxury family spa holidays in Europe. Our guide will help you to decide on a break that’s right for your family.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching on 10th March,we’ve meticulously selected the best Mother’s Daywellness retreats for healthier Mums, so you can take full advantage, treating her whilst simultaneously caring for every aspect of Mum’s health. With a luxurious wellness stay inLithuania from £370 to an awe-inspiring adventure toAustria from £1,700, we have offerings to cater for a diverse range of budgets, ensuring there’s a healthy break for all to enjoy on this Mother’s Day. Whether it’s a serene snowy retreat in a captivating treehouse resort nestled in the Dolomites ofItaly or a lavish pampering spa experience in the sunny Algarve ofPortugal, discover the perfect luxury wellness break away this Mother’s Day.  

If your dream getaway involves a spa holiday, tanzanite blue pools, breath-taking scenery and delectable dishes, along with some high-end cosmetic pampering to return home an even more beautiful and healthy, then you need a luxury spa holiday with a twist. The medical clinic sector in travel is ever-growing and it ticks all the boxes of a luxury escape along with state-of-the-art facilities, the best medical experts and you get to focus on yourself with non-invasive cosmetic treatments.